Based in Cornwall, the business has grown into one of the UK’s leading independent nursery chains, recognised by the Nursery Chains 2017 publication as being in the top five nationally for quality. Following a management buy-out in 2012, backed by mid-market private equity firm Livingbridge, the business developed five new sites which have successfully opened since 2014.
To capitalise on its strong growth and established success, the business is actively looking to expand its footprint across the South and South West of England. It has recently opened nurseries in Exeter, Bristol and Poole and has developed a strong pipeline of exciting opportunities for future growth in 2018 and beyond.
Growth Capital loans are targeted at UK businesses with annual turnovers of up to £50 million which have a demonstrated history of high year-on-year growth in turnover, profit or employment. As well as the financial support, high-growth businesses can also access other support from Santander which includes training (masterclasses), mentoring and seminars as well as access to overseas trade missions and part-funded interns through our partner universities.
Peter Abel, Santander’s Growth Capital Director, Said: “We are delighted to have worked with the management team of Happy Days Nurseries to support the business with its current trading and new nursery growth ambitions. As an established care provider, with an excellent governance and performance record, now is the appropriate time for our Growth Capital product to support the business with its further roll-out plans into new geographic areas. This is a quality business with a very experienced management team and we expect it to continue its growth over the coming years.”
Jackie Arthur, Managing Director of Happy Days Nurseries, said: “This is a really exciting investment from Santander. They have worked with the business and management team in providing an appropriate funding solution for our development plans, and their experience together with the professional relationship the team has developed with Happy Days over the last few years, meant that we were very keen to work together. We believe that with this investment, and support from Santander, we are well placed to achieve our growth ambitions.”
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Notes to editors
For media enquiries regarding Happy Days Nurseries, please contact:
Rebekah Fice-Thomson: T: 01872 511020 E: rebekah.fice-thomson@happydaysnurseries.com
For Santander Corporate and Commercial media enquiries, please contact:
Lara Lipsey: T: 020 7756 4518 M: 07713 560 209 E: lara.lipsey@santander.co.uk
Stephanie Harris: T: 020 7756 4221 M: 07841 506 668 E: stephanie.harris@santander.co.uk
The Santander press office operates from 8.00am to 6.00pm. Outside of these hours please call 0800 5877708.